Improved machine for making- wood-screws



N. PETERS, PHOYO-LTTROGRAPMER, WASHINGTON D. C.

N.FETRS, PHOTO-UTHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C.

OESAR A. RODNEY, 0F WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.-

Letteo's Patent N 97 ,230, datedl November 23, 1869.

IMrRovnn MACHINE Fon 'MAKING Woon-sensors.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all rwhom it 'may concern:

j Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine,y as seen with portions of the d ivingfmechanism removed; and

The remaining gures, from A3 to 62, inclusive, are views or sections of different portions of the workingmechanism, to be hereinafter'specially described and referred to. i

Figure 68 is-a Vertical section of the machine, show.

ing the connection ofthe several parts. p

The same letters in all the figures are used to indicatethe same parts.

My invention relates to a machine for making wo odscrews, in which the entire operation ofv making the screw is carried on in one-machine, the wire being fed into the machine at one point, and the successive operations being performed, a completed screw is delivered from another part of they machine.

The peculiar characteristics of my invention will be hereinafter indicated in the body ,of the specification, andin the claims. p

The power is applied to the shaft A, which turns in suitable bearings i'iith'e frame of the machine, and which carries the bevelled driver A1.

The driver A* meshes into the bevelled wheel 131,011 the vertical driving-shaft B, to which it is attached.

The spur-pinion B2 is cast with the wheel B1, and it drives the spur-wheels B and B, cast in one piece, and turning loosely on the counter-shaft l1.

The pinion B4 meshes into the wheel B5, cast with the pinion B, both turning on the shaft B.

The pinion B meshes into the loosespur-wheel B7, which is cast with the pinion B, the latter meshing into the spur-wheel l5, which turns freely upon the shaft B.

The ob'ect of the intermediate eariwlr is to reduce D in forming a screw; but, where more than two elevations are used, only one increased elevation, b4, is used, all the others being of the same laltitude.

The height of the elevation b is that intended for the length of the thread tobe eut on the screw, and that of b* is the entire length of the screw, plus the amount of wire necessary to form the head.

The screws are cut from a wire, which is drawn from a coil,and carried into the reciprocating feed-box D. (S'ee figs. 1, 20, 19, 25, and 26.)

This feed-box slides between ways attached to the frame-work of the machine. It is a metallic box, enclosing the clamping mechanism, and draws the wire upiiom the coil lthrough the hole di, iig. 25.

This mechanism consists of the following parts:

A reciprocating bar, Dl, which is shaped as clearly shown in fig. 20 in perspective, and in section in lig. 26, fits loosely into the feed-box. It has an inclined surface, which bears against a sliding horizontal plate,

D3, extending across the feed-box, with a hole through it, through which the wire, represented by D@ passes.

As the reciprocating bar l.)l is raised, the inclined surface of the notch, bearing against the end of the plate 1), forces it against the body of the box, so as to clamp it firmly.

The box rests upon the surfaces b2, and, as the wheel B9 revolves, it will be raised and lowered, as each elevation b3 lr* passes under it.

rlhe stud-piu el* projects through a slot in'the case of the feed-box, and, as it is attached to the bar D, the latter isindependently operated by the contact of lthe studpin`l1 with the collars (l2 on the vert-ical rcciprocatiu g rod D2.

As the feed-box D descends onthe track b2, the stud-pin will strike against the lower collar d", and the bar D1 will be raised.

The inclined surface will force the bit l.)3 against the wire, arid clamp it'. ,As the box ascends, it will carry up the wire D4, until the stud-pin strikes against the upper collar d2. It irst raises the rod, until the point d,

fig. 24, operates to close the upper clamp, to be presvently described.

When tlie rod D2 can rise no higher, the .stud-pin 'will hold the bar D1 while the feed-box ascends, and

thus disengage the clamp D from the wire, so that as the box descends, the 'wire suspended upon the upper clamp will be drawn through the feed-box.

"The collars d2 are screwed on to a thread cut on the rod D2, so that by raising and lowering them, the machine may be adjusted to, cut more or less wire. VThe height ofthe upper collar must be sufcient to enable all the lower projections, b2, to pass under the feed-box without the stud-pin dl being brought into contactwith the upper collar, which is only intended to operate upon the bar D1 when the screw has been completed, and it is to be expelled to make room for a section of wire to form another blank.

The spring D5 may be used to force down the feedbox, but it is not believed to be necessary, as its own gravity lwill be suficient.

The spring d5 is intended to support the weight of the bar D.

The friction-roller DG is placed under the feed-box to traverse the track 7g2.

The upper clamp, which holds the wire afterthe lower clamp D3 has been released, is operated. as follows:

A perforated clamping-plate, E, figs. 32, 37 and 38, constructed like the plate D2, is placed over the feed-box, being attached to a plate, El, attached to or forming a part o'I the frame-work.

The bevelled point d, of the rod D2, as shown in fig. 24, when the rod is raised by the stud-pin, is forced against the edge ofthe plate E, forcing it against the wire passing through a hole, immediately below f2 in the shear-head, and clamping it precisely in the same manner that the plate D has done, and thus sustaining it while the feed-box is descending, until the studpin d strikes against the lower collar d2, and, drawing down the rod D2, disengages the upper clamp E, and fastens the lower one, D, at the same time.

In case the friction of the point :Z3-should not be suicient to sustain the weight of the rod D2, it may be supported byy a compensating spring.

At this stage of the operation, a lengthof wire suliicient to form aiblank, is project-ing above the feedbox, and the'next operation is to shear ofi" the wire intendedto fore,-the blank. This is done by the following mechanism:

. The shear is shown in figs. 36 and 33, and its operating-mechanism is shown in figs, 4,5, and 32.

fis the head 'of the shear, which has, through it, a vertical hole, f2, into wllich the wire passes from the hole in the clamping-plate E, immediately below it.

T he other end, f1, bears against the cam F2, turn-- ing around the shaft B. c

This cam is formed as part of the hub of the wheel G, and, by its pressure, it bears aga-inst and projects the shear, which is retracted, when relieved from the pressure of the cam, by the pressure of the spring FI, iig. 32. Vhenthe wire has been cut otf, it remains in the holef2. As represented in the drawing, the cam .F2 will project the' shear F only once while the wheel G is making an entirerevolution; but in large machines, the cani will be so formed as to project the shear as many times as there are sets of clamps attached to the wheel G, as will be further explained hereafter.

The wheel G is a large horizontal bevel-wheel, shown in figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. It does not have a continuons revolution, but has an intermittent motion, derived through the bllowing-described mechanism:

It is driven by the' wheel G2, iig. 1, which is cast with or attached to the spur-pinion G2, which derives its motion from the loose pinion G2, on the shaft A.

Gf* is= a clutch, sliding on the shaft A, on a feather.

It revolves with the shaft, and is alternately engaged with the 'pinion by a yoke fastened to the oscillating shaft G2, (see iig. 2,) which is oscillated by a rod, G6, attached to an arm on the shaft G5.

The upper end of the rod GG is attached to the short arm ot' a bell-'crank lever, GT. The long arm of the latter' is moved, periodically, by a wrist-pin, projecting from the side of the wheel H.

The short arm`of the bell-crank lever G2, projecting beyond the rod G, is attached to the liead of a pin,

G, which enters holes shown in the plate K, iig.

6, by which the wheel G is held, so that it cannot move until the pin is disengaged, which occurs at the same time that the clutch is thrown iuto gear with the pinion G.

The wheel H is so geared as to have the same number of revolutions with the wheel B2, and the cam b2 attached thereto. It is driven by a system of spurwheels, H1, H2, H, and H, and pinionslis, on the drivin g-shaft A, as clearly shown in fig. 1, the intermediate gearing being arranged on the same principle as the system of intermediate wheels B2, B, B, B5, B5, BT, B", and B, already described, and resulting in the same diminution of motion, so that the shear shall cut the rim every time the wheel B9 makes a complete revolution.

They piece cut from the wire to form a blank remains in the hole f2, in the shear-head, while the wheel B? is making the next revolution, and when the wire is again forced up by the high cam b, it expels the piece from the shear-head, by forcing it upward into clamping-mechanism on top of the wheel G, which will be presently described.

In figs. 33, 34,-aynd 63, I'have shown, in plan and iii section, a bed-plate, attached to the main frame, and marked I. In the centre of this vplate is a recess, i, to receive the cam F2. Surrounding this isan annular bearing, Il, which has an eccentric plate on its face,l

the purpose of which will be hereinafter describedl Surrounding this is a recess, i, and next in 'order is the elevated annular surface I2, containing the'segmental slot is.

The face of the head of the shear F is flush with the surface of this ring. It is ,surrounded bya recess, i, and this, again, by the annular surface l, which has a recess cut in its inner edge to receive the piece I4, which is a triangular block of metal, the purpose of which will be hereafter explained. rlhe upper face of this block is, in form, a right angle, or a truncated right; angle, its vertical face being at a right angle to the radins of the bed-plate.

The wheel G is shown in lig. 3, which isa top view; in iig. 4, which is a bottom view; and in fig. 5, which is a section. This wheel carries four sets of clamps, (one only being shown,) which receive the pieces ot' wire as they are successively forced up from the head of the shear. This clamping-mechanism is constructed 'as follows:

Gl G1 aretwo cylindrical rollers, turning freely on short journals above and below, and having their bearings below in` the slots g g in the wheel G, and above in the'slots g g, in the plate K, fig. 6, which is attached to and covers the wheel G, resting upon the projecting bearing-surfaces shown in lfigs. 3 and 5; G2 is a movable jaw, pivoted at g2, and pressed forward by a spring, g3; and

G'J is a iixedjaw attached to'the wheels G.

rPhese jaws are respectively arranged in relation to the rollers G', and to one another, as clearly shown in fig. 3.

C,As the wire is forced 4from the shear, it is received between the wheels G1 and the points of the jaws G3 G2, where it is held, and is carried with the revolution of the wheel G, until the latter has made one-fourth of a' revolution, when it stops, the wire resting immediately above thcfupper end of the shaft L,vfigs.

33 and 35.

The wheel G is so geared as to make one-fourth of -a revolution while the wheel B2 is making one entire revolution, so that a wire is being held in position over the said shaft L, to be headed, while another section is being carried through the feed-box, to b e cut off.

The shaft Lis in continuous revolution, deriving its motion from the wheel L, which meshes into the wheel L2 on the main shaft B, as shown in figs. 1 and 15.

A recess, Z, iig. 35, is formed in the centre of thevhead of the shaft L, to give a slight tapering point to the screw-blank, as it is being headed in the manner to be next described.

The shalt L is stepped upon a dross-head, L3, fig. 16, which slides freely up and down between ways L suspended from the main frame.

The cross-head is raised'aud lowered by mea-ns of a toggle-joint, L5 L, the lower arm y L6 of which is piv- -rocating motion to the said bar L, and operating t-he toggle-joint. The spring on the rod L12 draws back the toggle-joint.

In iig. 51, -M is'the upset, being a vertical rod, which, when forced down, upsets the end of the wire projecting above the rims of the cylindrical rollers G1, to form the head upon the screw-blank. This upset is operated by a toggle-joint, M M2, placed between vertical frames, forming the top of the frame of the machine, as shown in lig. 1. This toggle-joint is extended hy the revolution of the eccentric hr1, placed on the shaft 'h of the wheel H, and is bent back by the opposite pressure vof the spring M3 bearing `against the opposite side of theangle.

The pressure of thetoggle-joint may be adjusted by the set-scre'wsM,shown'in figs. 1,51, and 52, bearing upon the adjustable boxes of the journal upon which the upper arm of the toggl ejoilit turns. These boxes may be raised -or lowered by the set-screw. l

As the wheel H revolves at the same speed with the wheel B, it makes four revolutions to one of the wheel G, so that the upset will be forced down as'the wires are successivelybrought under its point.

The upset has a depression, m, in its lower face, to

form a centre on the blank'opposite'the point formedby the recess l. The uJset M also revolves at the saine speed with the sha 't L, derivingr its motion from the pinion M, meshing into the spur-wheel M5 on the main shaft B.

i rlhe upper edges of the' cylinder Gl are' bevelled, as shown in ligs. 3 and 14, and as the upper and lower rods:r

M and L revolve, they will carry with them the blank, and as it.y revolves, the hcadavlll be swelled into proper form, -its under side conforming to the bevel of the rollers G, which, revolving, will prevent theiormation of fins on the head, as it is upset.

The wheels H and B9 haring the saine revolution, the downward action of the upset and the upward ,action of the shaft L will occur at the saine time.

As the wire is carried from the point where it is cut olf, to the point where the head is formed, the roller G1 nearest the periphery of the wheel G, has its jonrnalextending downward through the slots g, and received into the depression t in the bed-plate, and healing against the inner edge of the annular surface I", so that when it reaches the surface of the piece 1*,ig. 33, which isv perpendicular to the radins of the wheel, the journal will be forced toward the centre, so as to hold the roller more strongly against the wire while the head is heilig formed, so as to cause the roller to revolve.

When the wheel revolves further, after the head is formed, this pressure will be relaxed as soon as the head passes beyond-the piece 14.

As the recess in the .rim li isy longer than the piece 14 therein placed, asl shown in tig. 33, the piece 1* may be adj usted so as to give a greater orlesser pressure to the journal of the roller, as circumstances may require.

A ring, Q, shown in fig. 40, is placed immediately over the ring I, containing a similar block, Q1, (see fig. 50,) heldin place bya bolt, Q, the head of which is on theupper side of the ring, to sustain the bolt passing through a slot in the ring Q. lhis block presses the upper journal of the outer roller toward the centre, atthe same time that the block I* acts uponthe lowerl journal.

In order to give increased bearing-surface to the journals of the rollers, the thickness of the plate K, and alsoof the wheel G, where thejournals of the rollers Gl pass through them, is increased, as shown at K2 in figs. 4 and (i, by swellson the upper surface hf K, and the lower surface of G, around the slots through which the journals pass. This increased thickness also aids in prevent-ing cuttings from entering the slots.

These projections K2 lit down into the grooves in the bed-plate, and also into the upper plate Q, and as they sweep around in the grooves in the bed-plate, they carry the shavings, falling into the grooves upon them; and sweep them into holes left for their escape through the hed-plate.

\Vhen the head has thus been formed, immediately on being relieved from the pressure of the upset, the wheel G will be rotated another. fourth of a revolution, carrying with it the` blankheld between the rollers Gl, when the projections g, in tig. 4, on the inner edge of the rim of wheel G, comes in contact with the bolt Nl, projecting from the cuter end of a swinging frame, N, figs. 2S), 30, 31, and 34,' placed under the segmental slot i, lig. 33, in the bed-plate I.

The swinging frame turns on the shaft B, as a centre, and is held nearest to the side from which the blank approaches, as the wheel G revolves with it, by the stress of a spring, N7, which is coiled around the' shaft B, in a recess in the bed-plate, and has an arm .projecting outward, and pressing against the oscillating frame. 4

The blank shown in fig. 5, at D5, is carried between the cylinders Gi, its head resting upon the bevelled edges.

In order that the head may he turned off, it must he raised above the roller Gl.

`This is done by means of the pointed rod N figs. 29 and 30, which is forced up under the blank, through the segmental slot i3, iig. 33, in the ibllowinglnanner:

A cam-plate, N 2, is fastened under the bed-plate I, (see figs. 29 and 39,) the edge of which is formed as shown by the line a5.

A bolt or slide, N, rests against this edge, being pressed outwardly by a spring, u.

Now, when the bolt N, engaging the projection g, has caused the swinging frame N to turn, the cam N2 will press back the slide N", and pressing the inclined face n thereof against the toe of a Vertical rod, N3, will force it upward, the point n passing through the slot t3, and pressing against the blank DG, lig. 5, cause the head thereof to be raised above the rollers.

When the bolt N is opposite to the point indicated by the letter ar, fig. 39, the revolution of the wheel, and consequently the movement ofthe swinging frame, ceases, until the head is turned off Yby mechanism, to be hereinafter explained.

In order that the cutting-tools may take elect on the head, it is necessary that the blank shall be held lirmly without turning. rllhis is accomplished in the following manner:

The eccentric plate Il, fig. 33, is so placed, that as the swinging arm raises the blank, the eccentric shall .press upon the arm g5, figs. 3 and 13, on the movable jaw G2, which extendsdown through a slot in the the blank, and hold it so that it cannot turn, while its head is subjected to the action ofthe cutters.

As the rod N3 is suspended at a2, so as to swing freely when its lower end is struck by the bar N4. it

wheel G and Jress the 'aw Grl with reat force afainst will be pushed from the slide N8, and fall by its own gravity, or by the force ofthe spring n.

When the arm N5 strikes afrainst the bed-plate, the other arm, N, of a bell-crankj lever, willthrow back the bolt N1, disengaging it from the projection gi, on the wheel G, and the spring NI will immediately force the swingingframe with, its mechanism, back to the side from which it came.

The pressure of the cam I continues to confine the blank during the movement of the wheel through the next stage of the operation.

The mechanism for turning the heads of the blanks is seen on figs. 1, 57', 58, 59, 60, 61, and 62.

O is a hollow arbor, in which the stock 0 of the cutters is inserted.

This stock is formed of two pieces, the piece 02 being separable, and the steel cutters being placed between them, and secured by a screw, o.

The cutter o is designed to turn olf thetop of the head, and the cutter o1 is used to turn oli' the edge of the head.

It is not necessary to turn off the bevelled sides of the blank, as that has been already slnoothed'by the rotation of the bevelled roller Gl, when the head was formed.

When the cutters have been inserted in the stock, the latter is pressed into the arbor, by the screw O", acting on the oscillating base o, and sustained upon the oscillating yoke O, which holds the screw between the collars o5 and o6.

By turning the screw Oi, the bcvelled point of the stock is forced into the converging extremity of the arbor, so that these inclined parts operate to compress th'e point of' the stock very firmly upon the cutters, and so hold them rigidly in place.

The arbor is suspended on the yoke O5, which embraces the grooved collar O, so as to permit the arbor to turn freely.

The arbor and cutting-tools are turned by a spur, 0, on the arbor, which meshes into the pinion O, (see figs. 1 and 51,) on the main vertical shaft B.

The face of" this wheel Ol2 is long enough to allow the arbor to be moved up and down, by the action of the eccentric O8, which presses upon the oscillating lever O1, pivoted at one end,\and sustained at the other upon a spiral spring, O, which surrounds a guide-rod passing through the lever.

The yoke-plate O5 is bent at right angles, as shown in tig. 62, and slides up and down on the slotted plate O6, being held in place by a stud-pin passing through the slot, and having a nut on the other side of the plate O6. It is connected with the lever 0I by a setscrew, O9, by turning which, the yoke-plate, arbor, and cutters may be raised or lowered.

When the eccentric O forces down the cutting-tool i with the revolution of the shaft lz., the cutters are brought into action upon the blank-head, and when relieved from the pressure of the eccentric, the tube is raised by the spring 01.

When the head has been turned off, the wheel G is carried forward another fourth part of' a revolution, to bring the head of the blank under the edge of the saw, which cuts the nick in the head of the screw, the screw-blank remaining firmly compressed in the jaws, by the continued action of the cam *Il upon the arm g5, fig. 3.

The saw, and mechanism for operating it, are shown in figs. 1, 51, 53, 54, and 40.

P is the saw, which cuts the nick. It is overh'ung upon the mandrel I, which has its bearings in the cross-head P", and is turned by a bevel-wheel, P2, meshing into a bevel-wheel, 1, which slides upon the vertical shaft B, by means of the cross-head I, and being made to turn with the shaft B, by the point PEx on the wheel P, fig. 54, catching in a groove in the shaft B, shown in fig. 53, or by means of a feather on theshatt-,engaging a notch in the eye of the wheel.

The cross-head P4, shown in figs. 1 and 51, slides up and down on suitable ways, fastened to the main frame, and the saw is elevated and depressed by the adjustable connecting-rod P5, passing through an oscillating shaft, I, having its journals in the parallel arms l, pivoted to the main frame, and operated by an arm, P, which is pivoted to the lower arms of the toggle-joint M1, which operates the upset, so that as the arm M of the toggle-joint oscillates, in bringing down the upset, it at the same time, drawing upon the rod P7, presses down the saw P to act upon the head of the screw, held in the wheel G, at a point opposite to the upset.

The blank has now its head perfectly formed, and it only remains to cut the thread to finish the screw.

To accomplish this operation, the wheel G again revolves the fourth part of a revolution. The cam 11 releases the jaw G, and leaves the screw loosely held between the rollers G1. V

By the last motion'ofthe wheel, the blank is brought back to its original position over the feed-box.

The screw being cut by stationary cutters, it is necessary that the screw itself shall be turned, and elevated and depressed, by independent mechanism.

rlhis is donc in the following manner, as showa'in figs. l, 55, o6, 4l), 42, 43, 44, 45, and 47, in which-fR is a screw-driver, the pointed head r of which is engaged with the nick in the head of the blank.

The screw-driver is pressed down by a spiral spring, R2, and its vertical motion is controlled by the cam R on the shaft h., and it is rotated by the spur-wheel Ri, meshing into the cogs of the wheel O", which drives the mechanism for turning off the head.

The head of the screw-driver is supported, when not in act-ion, within the block Ri, placed within the well Q4, (see figs. 40, 45, and 47,) resting upon the coiled spring r3, fig. 42, which sustains its weight, until it is forced down by the cam R.

There are vertical grooves, r1, in the opposite sides of the block R, in which are placed springs, lr, which, extending downward along the length of' the block, have their tension outward, and are bent onthe lower ends, to sustain the nipping-jaws r, which slide in a dovetailed recess, formed in the bottom of the block R4, as shown in fig. 43, where said block is represented turned bottom-side up.

The block, moving up and down in the well Q, when the driver forces it down, until the jaws r* reach the bevelled mouth of the well at Q5, the springs will draw the jaws asunder, and allow the point r1 to emerge between them, to catch into the nick in the blank-head, which it will cause to revolve with its own rotation.

The mechanism for cutting the thread upon the screw, while it is being turned by the screw-driver, is shown in figs. 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, and 23.

The cutters arc stationary when in operation, and the screw is moved vertically, so as to traverse with that portion of' the blank upon which the thread is being cut, along the points of the cutting-tools.

The blank, having been brought to the point from which it started, will be 'held by the rollers G1 immediately over another section of wire, which has been cut oif by the shear, and remains in the hole f1, in the shear-head f, figs. 33 and 36, the wire uncut remaining in the feed-box, and having its upper end bearing against the portion cut oli` and remaining in the shear-head.

As the feed-box moves up and down, with the motion given to it by the projections b, on the cam bl, it will cause the wire in the shear-head to press up the blank.

As the elevations bn are equal in altitude to the length of the thread on the screw, the wire would elevate the screw-blank the whole distance, but, as its point would interfere with the tool in cutting the tapering point of the screw at the end thereof,

it is necessary tlrat the'A blank should be operated inl by the pressure of the sides of the well Q4, as soon asv 'the block R4 has been drawn up, so that the jaws 1^* are raised above the bevlled lips Q5, and compressed, so as to enclose the screw-blank immediately below the head.

From this point the screw is controlled by the driver and jaws alone, the cams on the cam-wheel R corresponding with the projections l1 and bv, on the camV b1, of the wheel B9.

In the drawings but one elevation, b3, and another b, are shown.

On amachine, such as has been described, there would lhe several projections b3, and one, b4, and the same number' of projections on the cam Rigaud one longer cile, so that the motions of the screw-drivel', in raising and lowering, shall precisely correspond with those of the feed-bo'x.

The cutters are attached by set-screws to theoscillating levers S S, fig. 3.

These cutters are shown at Sl S2. rihey passI through slots in the jaws Grz G3, shown iu iig. 13; and if the rollersl .G1 Vinterfere with their action, a groove mustbe cut around the rollers to receive the points of the cutters. V

One of these cutters, S1, (see fig. 9,) has a cuttingpoint for cutting out the metal between the thread, andthe other, S2, cuts the sides of the thread onits bevelled cutting-edges. Other forms may, however, be used.

The levers SS, which are the stocks of the cutters, are pivoted upon pins projecting from the plate S, so as to'have their short arms outside of the pivots, in order that'the stocks may be turned on their pivots, so that the short arms, in turning, may clear the rockshaft U2, and the cutters may be brought to the outside ofthe machine to be removed from the stocks.

The feed-motion is communicated to the stocks and cutters from the rock-shaft U2, fig. 3, through the adjustable connecting-plates fl'. These plates are placed at the end of each stock S.

They ale formed in two pieces, t t, (figs. 3, 11,and 12,) connected by screws, passing through slots in the one, inte the other.

The short arm of the stock rests against a shoulder, t4, and, by turning the set-screw t2, thel length of the connecting-plate may be changed, so as 'to regulate the position of the cutters. y

The tension of the spring 'S3 is appliedl to the long arm, lso to maintain the short arm in contact'with the shoulders t". g

There are journals on the end-plate of the piece t, through which the set-screw tt passes, which are received in grooves cut, below, 'in the topof the wheel G, and above1 in the lower surface of the plate K, (fig. 6,) which i-s fastened to the wheel G.

The other end of the connecting-plate t1 rests against a cam, U, on the outer end of the rock-shaft U2, being secured in place by a button, U1, pivoted ou the outer surface of the cam U. By turning this elongated button vertically, the ends are freed, and may be turned out, the plate swinging on the journals t, and thus, by sliding the journals toward the cam, an open space is left, through which the cutters may be swung outside ofthe periphery of the wheel and plate K, to be removed or replaced.

The cutters are forced toward theV screw-blank by the pressure of the cam Uupon the connectingplate T, and through said plate outwardly against the short arm ofthe stocks S. l

The action of the cam U is regulated by the oscillation of the rock-shaft U2, turning on its bearings,

and oscillated by the arm U3 and coiled spring, surrounding'f the rock-shaft, and pressing the arm U down, when it is released by the dropping of the elevator V, figs. 3 and 8. j

The elevator V is placed in a slotted tubular guide, bolted to the top of the wheel G.

It is a short vertical shaft extending downward to' the bottom of the wheel G, and having above'` the wheel a horizontal arm, V1, projecting through the slotted tube, and under the a-rrn U, so that the rockshaft is turned inone direction by raising its arm U, and in the other by the spiralspringV snrroundingit.

The elevator is raisedby the rod V, figs. 1, 17, and 18, which passes through the bed-plate at V4, iig. 33, and is pressed down by a spiral spring placed in a re` cess in the bed-plate. Y

The elevatorV is carried around with the Wheel G, and when the latter stops, is immediately over the point of the rod V.

The lower end of this rod is fastened bya joint-bolt to the rod V", which hangs within a slotted guide-arm, V6, proiectingfrom a frame, V3, which is fastened to the main frame, and forms also a guide for the feed-V box D, placed on the opposite side thereof,

. The rod V5 rests in front against an adjusting setscrew, V", and behind against a spring, c2, which presses it against the point at the set-screw.

lhe toe of the rod V5 stands ou a tripping-arm, V, which raises it with the oscillation ot' the rock-shaft V9, fig. 23.

The rock-shaft is raised by the 'arm Vl, and depressed, when the arm is released, 'by the downward pressure of' a` spring, v1, coiled around the rock-shaft, and carried forward at the end to bear upon the upper face ofthe arm V1".

`The tripping-arm V will raise the rod V4 and elevator V slowly, so as gradually to compress the cutters S1 S2, and when the cutters have reached the point of the screw, the end of the tripping-arm slides from under the rod V* V5, and it falls instantly, so that the elevator V'falls, and, with it, thecam is released from compression upon the ends of the connecting-plates T, and the cutters are immediately' withdrawn entirely from the screw by the pressure of the spring S3, so that the screw-blank may drop withthe rapid action of the cams acting upon the feed-box and screw-driver, and a new cut be commenced.

The oscillation of the arm Vl, of the rock-shaft V9, is eii'ected by the horizontal foot Wl of the rod W, ii". 18.

t,This rod receives a vertical reciprocating motion from the plate X acting upon Ithe arm li/'2, adjustably attached to the rod W by a set-screw, W.

This plate X is bent at a right angle, the vertical portion being pivoted to lugs upbn the frame-plate V3, at a point shown at x, in figs.18 and 21, so as to permit the plate toA oscillate upon this centre.

The upper arm has upon its upper face a sliding plate, X1, placed over a slot in X, and having on its underside a rack, x1, which projects downward through said slot to receive the points of two pawls, X and X. The former is pivoted to the `same lugs on the frame V3, below the centre of oscilla-tionof the plate X, and is independent of it. The latter has the same centre of oscillation as the plate X.

On the lower 'end of this plate is placed a frictionwheel, X2, which bears upon the edge of the 4camt-rack D7 on the feed-box D.

As the feed-box D is raised, by the cams b3 successively acting upon it, as already described, the plate X will be caused to oscihate according'to thel irregularities in the track DT.

Thus, when the wheel X2 is thrown forward by the I lits back a stud-pin, y, which, passing through a slot thread of the screw. While the wheel traverses the vertical part of the track, at x5, the cutters will be cutting the straight part of the thread. As the track x7 begins to press the wheel X2, the cutters will be still more forced upon the screw, to cut it gradually away to a sharp point, to form the gimletpoint of theserew, and when the wheel reaches the vertical portion of the track x", the tripping-lever V" will throw oi the cutters, which will have reached the point of the screw.

The gradual feed of the cutters, to cause' the increased cut at each successive motion of the screw, is derived from the action of the pawls X and X ou the sliding plate.

As the pawl X3 is independent of the plate X, it follows, that as the horizontal portion of the plate is swung upward, the point of the pawl X3 will catch a notch deeper upon the rack xl, on the sliding plate X, but as the pawl Xi has a common centre with the plate, it will not be affected by its oscillation, but will hold the plate X1, while thel pawl X3 is being drawn back. When the plate has reached its highest point of oscillation, and begins to swing back, the point of the pawl Xu will press the plate forward, so as to extend the point x a little further from the fulcrum,l under the arm W2, and consequently, as the lever formed by the horizontal plate, has a little longer arm, it will raise the rod W a little more rapidly, and consequently the cutters will be brought to act sooner and more deeply'upon the screw.

Then the wheel X2 rises upon the track x, the short arm of the pawl X will be brought against the base of the first inclined surface of the track, and throw the pawl X4 out of gear with the rack, and its long end pressing on the top of the pawl X3, will force itout of gear also, and the spring upon the stem x2, of the plate'X, will force it back to its original positio'n, the screw. having now been finished.

As the mechanism for cutting the screws is operated by the cams on the wheel B9, it follows that the number of projections, b, must be regulated, so as to give the number of cuts necessary to form the thread. They must be more or less numerous, according to the size of the screws. Large screws, having deeper threads, will require a greater number of cuts than small ones. A blank will be cut off, and another one finished, at each revolution of the wheel B, and four screws will be completed at each revolution, (after the first,) of the wheel G..A

The screw having been completed, it will only remain to expel it 4from the machine. This is eifectedin the beginning by the projection b4 on the cam bl, which forces the section of wire that has been sheared-of, from the head of the shear. into the clutch in the wheel G, thereby pushing up the screw therefrom.

The long point of the cani R3. is elongated more than the other points, so that the screw driver is raised yet higher, and so as to lift the screw, held in the jaws r4, entirely above the wheel G, and into thechamber of the well Qt When the jaws are opposite the depressions QG, fig. ,47, formed in the oppositev faces of thek well Qi, the

jaws will be expanded by the outward tension of the springs r2, and the screw-head released from the gripe of the jaws, andthe screw drops into the sliding pan Y. This pan slides upon a plate, Y1, placed immediately above the ring Q, fig. 40.

The pan and plate, and mechanism operating the pau, may be seen in figs. 1, 41, 45 46, 48,49, 55, and 56.

The pan is introduced -through a hole in the frame of the machine, and is operated by the bell-crank lever Y6, rod Y2, and plate Y.

The lattenpart is bent at right angles, and has Qn in a guidefplate, shown 'in fg.`56, rests on `the top of the cam R3. I

The arm of ,the plate Y plays freely up and down on the rod Y2, which passes through it, as the shorter projections are raising the screw-drivel', 'but when the longest projection of the cam R3 raises the screw-driver to its highest elevation, to lift the finished screw into the well Q4, the adjustable nut Y", ou the rod Y2, is caught by the arm Y, and the rod Y2 is raised, carrying up the short arm of the bell-crank lever Y, and throwing forward its long arm.

The extension'Y7 is attached to the long arm of' Y6 by headed bplts passing through slots in the latter, which permit it to move freely.

The point of the extension-arm Y5 engages in a notch cnt in the piu Y, attached to the vertical end of the drawer Y, and, as the lever Y6 is turned, it forces the drawer forward through an opening in the side of the well Q4, into the chamber under the screw held in the jaw fr, as explained before.

A slight increase in the elevation of the lever Ys draws the point of the extension Y7 out of the'notch in the pin Y, anddiscnga'ges the drawer, which is drawn instantly back by the action of the spring Yi, fig. 45, its quick motion, when suddenly stopped, throwing the screw out of the pan, through the opening Y", to the outside ofthe machine.

As the pan is drawn back, the rod Yz and lever YG are released `by the cam, and the bevelled point of the pin Ys, shown in fig. 45, forces up the extension Y'I until it is received into the notch, and the mechanism is rearranged to catch another screw,when brought up by the screw-driver and jaws r, as before.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the reciprocating feed-box D, containing the mechanism for clamping the wire, and the mechanism for clamping the wire above the feed-box, by which the wire is suspended. and drawn through the feedbox when released by the latter, substantiallyas set forth.v

2. The combination of the feed-box D, bar D, rod D2, collars di, and perforated plate D, respectively, constructed substantially as and'for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of the pointed bar DZ and plates E and El, arranged to operate substantially as'aud for the purpose set forth.

4. The wheel B, constructed with projections b and b, of different altitudes, in combination with the feedbox, substantially as set forth.

5. The shear F, with a perforated' head, f, in coinbination with the cam F2 and the clamps for holding the end of the wire D against the lower end ofthe wire which has been cut from the coil, and is retained in the hole f,.substantially as set forth.

6. The shear f, when so constructed that the length of the hole f2 shall be equal to the throw of the'elevating-nlechanisln, which projects the length of wire necessary to form a headed screw-blank.

7. The wheel G, when so constructed that its hub FZ-shall form a cam for operating the shear F, substantially as described.

8. The wheel G, in combination with the mechanism for clamping the screw-blank, and with the mechism for giving to it an intermittent motion, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of the wheel H and stud-pin, bell-crank.. lever G', rod G6, rock-shaft G5, clutch G, and pinion G, withA the intermediate wheels for giving the intermittent motion to the wheel G, substantially as described.

10. The clutching mechanism attached to thc wheel G, consisting of the rollers Grl and jaws Gz G, by which the blank is heid, while subjected to the successive operations of heading and finishing, substautially as set forth.

11. In.cornbination with the wheel G, an upper plate, K, which forms bearings for the journals ofthe rollersG, substantially as set forth. l

12. The plate K and wheelGr, when constructed with swells' K2, to form bearings for the journals of the rollers G1, am1 when those ou thewheel are arranged to sweep cuttings from the grooves in the bed-plate I, substantially as set forth.

13. In combination with the rollers G1, a stationary jaw, G3, and an oscillating jaw, G2, the latter having an arm, y", which, vby the action of a cam-plate, 11, may be made to compress or release the screw-blank, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

14. The jaws G2 and G, when constructed with slots, to permit the action of thel cutters S upon the screw-blank.

j 15. The rollers G1, when bevelled upon their edges, to give form to'the under side of the head of the screw, substantially as set forth.

16. The blocks I1 and QF, in the plates I and Q, for compressing the journals of the. roller, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

17. The shaft L, when used for supporting thc blank, and having both a vertically-reciprocating and rotary mot-ion, in combinationl with adevice for npsetting the head, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. p

18. The combination of the shaft L, the togglejoint, with the cam b5, in the wheel B9, and the intermediate connecting parts,substantiallyas set forth.

19. The arrangement of the reciprocating shaft L, pinion L1, and wheel L2, upon the shaft B and togglejoint and cross-head L3, so as lto give a continuons rotary and intermittentreciprocating motion to said shaft L, substantially as set forth.

20. The combination of the pinions 1W 5 and M", npset M, toggle-joint Ml M2, eccentric h1, and spring M3, for giving a continuous rotary and intermittent reciprocating motion to the upset M, substantially as and furthe, purpose set forth. j f

21. The combination'of the, shafts L and M, when each h as both a rotary and reciprocating motion, and respectively constructed with indentations l and m, `substantially as and furthe purpose set forth.

22. The combiration'of thel shafts L and M and rollers G1, wheuthe former compressthehead of the blank upon the latter, and at the same time give to it a rot-ary motion, substantially as set forth. v

23. rlhe combination, in a screw-cutting machine, of mechanism for causing the blanks to revolve, with other mechanism for compressing the head at the same time, substantially in the manner set forth.

24. rlhe combination of the wheel G with a projection', g4, and the bolts N1, voscillating frame N, camplatefN, slide N U, and pointed rod N i', for throwing up the blank,`substantially as and for the purpose-set forth. t

25. Incombination with the oscillating frame N, slide N, and rod N, the rod Ni, for tripping the rod N, when the rod N4 encounters the frame, substantially as set forth.

2o'. rllhe combination ofthe frame N, sp1-ing N7, and levers N5 and N", for detaching the bolt N from the projection g4, and causing theV frame to return to its original position, substantially as set forth.

27. The hollow revolving arbor O, containing the cutters o o, for turning oii' the top and edge of the `head ofthe blank, substantially as set forth.

28. Thewcombination of the arbor O, rod O'Zoscil lating yoke O, grooved collar O, and yoke Oi", connected with the cam O, for bringing the revolving cutters into action upon the head of the screw-blank,

substantially in the manner Set forth.

29. In combination with the cam O8," lever OT, and yoke-plate O5, Ithe vadjustable connecting-screw O9, arranged substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

30. The combination of the hollow tapering-pointed arbor O, bevel-pivoted stock Ol, and cutters a ol, suhstantiallyas and for the purpose set forth.

31. The arrangement of the shaft B, sliding bevelwheel l, bevel-wheel P2, mandrel I", saw P, and reciprocating` frame P4, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

32. The combination of the reciprocating frame P, carrying the saw l", and the adjustable rod I, lever I, connecting-rod Pi,- and toggle-joint M1 Mi,- substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

' 33. lhe combination of the cam R and spring It?, for giving a reciprocating motion to ascrew-driver, R, which turns the screw-blank, and a corresponding cam,

if, which simultaneously raises 'and lowers the blank whileI subjected to the action of cutters forming the thread, substantially as set forth.

34.' The combination of the screw-driver It, block Ri, well Q4, jaws and springs o, when respectively constructed and arranged to operate substantially as set iorth. e

35. The cutters Sl and stocks S, in combination with the adjust-able connecting-plates T and cani U, substantially as set forth. i

3 6. The connecting-plates '.i, when held in place by a button, U, or equivalent device, and pivoted, ,at t, in grooves in the wheel G and plate K, so as to permit their displacement to swing the cutters outside of the periphery of the wheel and plate, substantially as set forth.

37.' In combination wit-h the cam U, rock-shaft U2, and arm U, the elevator V, and 4arm Vl, when thc elevator is attached to the wheel, and revolves with it, substantially in the manner set forth.

38. InV combination with ther eleva-tor V, the rods Vi and V5, and tripping-arm V, attached to the rockshaft V9, arrangedto operate substantially as andv for the purposeV set forth. v

39.' lhe combination of the plate X, sliding plate X1, ratchet x2, pawls Xa and X4, for giving a-graduallyincreasing motion to the rod W, which operates the rock-shaft, andthrough it, by intervening mechanism, the cutters for regulating the feed of the latter, substantially as set forth.

40. The combination of the reciprocating feed-box D, to which is attached the cam-track D7, oscillating plate X, and suit-able intermediate mechanism for controlling the action of the cutters,according to the form of the track, substantially asset forth.`

41. The well Q, when constructed with an openingI to receive areciprocating pan, Y, and with depressions Q, to permit thefall of the screw from the jaws ofthe driver, substantially setforth.

42. rEhe combination of the pan Y, pin Y, sliding extension Yi, lever Y, rod Y2, and reciprocatingr plate Ya, voperated by the cam It, substantiallyv in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

43. In such a machine the con'ibination of the following groups of elements; a feed-mechanism which feeds the wire to be cut into lengths proper to form a blank; a revolving wheel which carries thewire after being cut oii', and has an intermittent motion during the pauses in which the blank is, bysuccessive operations snbmitted tothe action of mechanism, by which the head is upset and trimmed, thenick in the head cut, and the thread formed, and the screw finally delivered from the machine in. a completed state, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two ysubscribing witnesses.

A. RODNEY.

Witnesses:

WM. B. WIGGINs, GHARLESVA.. Wteciss. 

